Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Trial

Inclusion Criteria Patients entering this study: * Are between the ages of 18-80 years old. * Legal residents of the United States or Canada. * Have a history of a chronic onset of a progressive motor weakness of less than 24 months duration. * Fulfill El Escorial criteria of probable or definite ALS. * If female, are surgically sterile, two years postmenopausal, or if of child-bearing potential, must be using a medically acceptable method of birth control and agree to continue use of this method for the duration of the study. Acceptable methods include a barrier method with spermicide, oral contraceptives (normal doses are acceptable; low dose oral contraceptives or contraceptive implants must be used with a barrier method), intrauterine device (IUD), or abstinence. Have a negative pregnancy test. * Are able to comply with protocol requirements. * Can provide written informed consent. * Have a manual muscle testing score of less than 8. * Have a forced vital capacity by pulmonary function testing \*60% predicted. Exclusion Criteria: Patients entering this study will not: * Have any of the following conditions:renal disease (Creatine \> 2.0) or other active systemic disease * Have any clinically significant abnormalities on the prestudy laboratory evaluation, physical examination, ECG, chest x-ray or ophthalmologic exam. * Have any clinically significant medical condition (e.g., within six months of baseline, had myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and/or congestive heart failure) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the safety of patient. * Have Type I or Type II diabetes. * Have a history of cancer including melanoma with the exception of localized skin cancers (with no evidence of metastasis, significant invasion, or re-occurrence within three years of baseline) and carcinoma in-situ of the cervix (women only). * Have used an investigational drug within 30 days of baseline visit. * Have had a tracheostomy. * Have a Beck's Depression Inventory score \* 12. * Have legal residency outside of the United States or Canada. * Be pregnant or breast-feeding.